Expansion joint for pavement and the like



July 18, 1933. OLDER 1,918,554

EXPANSION JOINT FOR PAVEMENT AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 8, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 zz. 5i 32 MQQMM Y Ul Patented July 18, y1933 CLIFFORD OLDER, OF WILMETTE, ILLINOIS EXPANSION JOINT FOR PAVEMENT AND THELIKE Application med August 8, 1931. Serial No. 555,949.

The present invention relates to expansion joints for pavement and the like and is particularly concerned with expansion joints for concrete roads and the like.

The4 concrete pavements of the vprior art are ordinarily constructed in a plurality ofV 'sections with cracks between the sections and with substantially larger expansion cracks located at regular intervals for the purpose of permitting the longitudinal expansion of the pavement under changes of temperature of the pavement. Expansion joints of this type may be'installed to permlt initial expansion or contraction depending upon the result desired. A

When the separate sections of the pavement expand, there isa gradual sliding of the sections toward the expansion crack or joint, but when the sections subsequently contract, they do not tend to return to their former position. This results in the disappearance of the relatively wide expansion crack, and the space utilized by the wide eX- pansion crack is soon divided into a plurality of cracks formed between adjacent sections of the pavement and it is practically 'impossible to prevent this action of the pavement sections in closing up the expansion joints. v

The open expansion joints and cracks between adjacent sections soon become filled with dust, soil and sand particles and as this material is generally incompressible it follows that when expansion again takes place, the jointscannot close between the adjacent sections and the whole series of sections is pushed still further toward the expansion joint, until eventually all of the joints, in-v cluding the expansion joint,- have become filled with hard packed unyielding material..

The purpose of the expansion joint is then defeatedand further expansion of the concrete sets up compression stresses as great as there wouldbe in c ase no expansion joint had been provided in the first place.

Another diiiiculty encountered in providing expansion joints lies in the fact that the continuous expansion and contraction of the concrete permits the sand, soil and other ma- 0 terial to get in between the sections of concrete and the folds of the expansible metal joint. As the space between the concrete sections around the eXpansible metal becomes filled with hard packed material, the expansible fold itself becomes compressed between the sectionsof concrete and hard packed material in thevcrack with the result that the easy curve, preferably provided between the folds of the expansible joint, becomes pressed to a sharp edge, thereby causing the expansible metal strip to crack along the sharp edge between the sections of concrete. Unless provision is made for` taking care ofthis tendency the fold in the expansible metal strip ultimately takes theform of a sharp REISSUED Another object of the invention is the provision of a plurality of improved and s implified forms of expansion joints adapted to .positively prevent the formation of a sharp bend, fold or crease, and to prevent the inching of the sheet metalV -of the joint y the foreign material filling the crack, so that the expansible metal joint will not be cracked or broken after a lon period of service.

Another object of t e invention is the provision of a plurality of forms of metal exe` p-ansionA joints for pavement, or the like, which are not only adapted to secure the adjacent movablev sections of. concrete together, but are also adapted to act as a dil vision plate for producing a crack at a predeterminedrpoint in the pavement.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a plura-lity of improved forms of expansion strips, the folds of which are provided with cylindrical portions having a filling which positively precludes the folds from y, being forced into af sharp bend or crease; thereby preventing the cracking of the strips at this point.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an expansion strip adapted to be used with my improved division plates or with any of the modern parting plates. i

Another object of the invention is the provision of an eirpansion strip and parting plate assembly peculiarly adapted to take care of the main fold. of the expansion strip being squeezed into a crack by the adjacent sections of concrete.

Other objects and advanta'ges of the invention will be apparent from the following de scription vand from the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of wlnch there are three sheets;

' Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of va pavement showing one form of expansion joint with a simple parting strip.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showlng the construction of thev template for installing the parting strip and showing the strip during its installation but before the removal of the template.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a modification. Fig. 4 is a similar view of another niedlication, both the top and bottom of the cr`ack being protected. A i .i Fig. 45 is a similar View of another modlfication with a different form of parting strip. Fig. 6 is a'fragmentary sectional v1ew of a concrete pavement immediately after the placing of one of the expansion strips and the parting strip by means of a special temlatc. p Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View of another modified form of expansion joint.

Fig. 8 is asimilar view of a modified form of expansion joint peculiarly adapted to permit initial expansion of the concrete.

Fig. 9 shows a similar view of another modification.

Fig. 10 is a similar view of another-modi-v cation. j

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional v1ew of another modification, having a dowel plate to maintain the alignment of the pavement sections.

Fig. 12 is a similar View of another modiication. Fig. 13 is a similar view of another modification in which a cellular paper filler is used to providea space for the initial ex'- strip 22 may be used with or without parting strips and it is adapted to be used with any of a multiplicity of different types of parting strips, some ofthe most important of which are illustrated.

'22 is preferably` wardly bent ends 26 forming anchoring formations secured in the concrete sections 20, 21. The anges 24 and 25 are joined to upwardly extending flanges 27, 28 which terminate in substantially cylindrical beads, 29, 30.

AThe beads 29 and 30 constitute auxiliary folds in the expansion strip 22 but the main fold of the expansion strip is provided by the downwardly extending flanges 31, 32 which 75 .are joinedl by the central portion 33 of the preclude these folds from being compressed into a sharp crease which would result in the cracking of the fold and these folds are pref erably anchored in the concrete as shown in Fig. 1. It `will be noted that the concrete has been rounded off at 36 on each section 20, 21 and the flanges 31 and 32 may serve as guides in the edging operation or the metal bar 34 may be used as a guide. It will be noted, however, that the concrete extends downward at the point 37 inside of each of the beads 29, 30 and, under ordinary conditions, the beads 29, 30 should remain anchored in the concrete and the principal bending should take place at the lower portion 33 of the strip 22. Under some conditions, however, the beads 29 and 30 may be pulled out of the adjacent sections of concrete but, inany event, it will be practically impossible for the dirt, sand and other compressible material which gathers about the joint to compress these beads into a sharp crease. One of the principal 'defects'of the expansion strips of the prior art was the Ainability of such strips to prevent this creasing 'or cracking action.

The parting strip 23 may consist of a plane metal strip which is resiliently clamped be tween the Hanges 28 and 32 or fianges 27 and 31, and adapted to insure the location of thel crack 38 at the expansion joint. If desired, the parting strip 23 may be formed with a laterally extending trough 39 for shaping thol joint between the sections in such manner` l that the sections will be maintained in alignment with each other.

The main fold 33 of the expansion strip 22 preferably extends lower than the anges 24, 25 so that this' fold would not he pinched by 12" the adjacent flanges 31 and 32.

Referring to Fig. 2, this is a similar view of the expansion strip during the course of its installation in thegreen concrete. The expansion strip is supported upon a template numeral 40 and which consists preferably of a flexible body 41 of metal or lumber rwhich may be provided with a metal bar 42 fixedly Secured to its lower side for telescopically engaging the flanges 31,32 or with a channelled met-al member 43 having flanges 44, 45 for engaging the sides of the tapered bar' 42 when a loose bar or filler is used.

The body 41 of the template 40 is sufficiently flexible to conform to the actual crown of the concrete rather than the theoretical curve desired and the lower flat surface 46 of the template acts asa gauge surface for locating the expansion strip 22 ata predetermined depth below the surface of the concrete when the surface 46 engages the top of the concrete. The template body 41 is provided with bores 47 andwith metal guides 48 for slidably receiving the ,rods 49 and 50.

Each rod is preferably provided with a lat n.

erally bent upper end 51, 52 forming a handle and the rods are urged upward by helical compression springs 53, 54 which are compressed between the upper ends of the guides 48 and the washers 55. The lower end of the rods or plungers 49, 50 are provided with a plurality of laterally extending portions 56, 57, 58 adapted to engage parts o the expansion strips 22 to hold it against the template. The groove 59A in the end 56 engages the anchoring formation 46 on flange 24. Groove 60 in laterally extending portlon 48 engages the other anchoring portion 56 of flange 25. Groove 61 on the laterally bent end 57 engages` the lower edge of the parting plate 23. The expansion strip assembly is secured to the template by locating 'it in a position shown in Fig. 2 with respect to template 40 and then pushing the plungers 49 and 50 downward beyond the flanges and parting plate 23 and rotating the plungers 49 and 50 until lthe grooves engage the extending edges of the expansion strip and parting plate. The template preferably has prepared handles 62 at each end or it may be supported from a stirrup by cables leading to its half and quarter points.

The expansion ]o1nts described hereln which merely consist of an upper unit and a parting strip may be installed by the use of such a template by forcing the partmg strip and the expansion strip down into the wet and green concrete just after the surface `ofthe concrete has been finished. The engagement between the lower flat surface 46 on the tem.-

' plate and the upper flat surface of the concrete determines the final position of the part- In some cases, the bar 42 is removed with the templatebut in other cases, it may be left and used as a guide in finishing the'adjacent `may thus be sprung edges 36. The holes left by the plungers are,

of course, filled up by smoothing the adjacent surface with a trowelor other tool.

Referring to Fig. 3, this is a modified form of construction in which the'flanges 24 and 25 are provided with backwardl bentY portions 62 and 63 spaced sufficient y from the flanges 24 and 25 to receive the flanges 64 and 65. The expansion joint of Fi 3 is adapted to permit initial expansion o the concrete sections and is, therefore, provided withv a special partin plate which may be indicated in its entirety y the numeral 66. The parting plate 66 comprises two parallel flanges 67 and 68 joined by a yoke 69 which may be located at the lower surface of the concrete. The parallel, flanges 67, 68 are provided with outwardly extending offset portions 69, 70 forming an enlar ed space 71`between the flanges 72, 73. The anges 7 2, 73 support the laterally extending flanges 64 and 65 which are adapted to be received in between flanges 24, 62 and 25, 63. The parting plate unit 66 together until its feet 64, 65 are engaged 1n the grooves formed by flanges 24, 62 and 25, 63. This expansion joint assembly provides a space 74 between the adjacent sections 20, 21 of concrete so that the concrete may extend to fill the space 74. The enlarged space 71 is adapted to prevent the adjacent flanges 72, 73, engaging the main fold 33 of the expansion str1p when such initial expansion takes place. The adjacent ends of the concrete sections cannot,l

In thisembodiment, a division 27 and 31 of each expansion strip 22 and it will thus be apparent that the present expansion strip is adapted to be used with parting strips in a number of different wa s.

Referring to Fig. 5, this is anot er modified expansion joint in which the parting.

plate 75 consists of a plane strip of sheet metal which is resiliently clamped between the flanges 32 and 28 of expansion strip 22. The filling'for the cylindrical beads 29 and 30 is provided by the wires 76, 77 but in order to insure the maintenance lof these 'wires in proper position, the Wires 76 and 7 7 are supported by ayoke 78 comprising a U-shaped trough of sheet metal having its upper edges curled about the wires 76, 77. The lower part of the yoke 78 engages the concrete below it which positively prevents the dropping of this yoke when the flanges 27, 31 andY 28, 32'

are separated under abnormal conditions.

Referring to 6, this is a similar view showing a modifie form of template in which the template body 41 is provided withav` sheet,

metal member 79 of a shape complementary to the inside of the expansion-strip 22. The sheet metal member 79 is fixedly secured to the template body 41 by the screws 80 and it telescopically engages between the flangesv31 and 32.

Referring to Fig. 7, this is another modification in which the flange 32 lis provided with a rib 81 for the purpose of more firml engaging the parting plate 23. If desire the parting plate 23 may be formed with a complementary grooved or stamped formation for receiving the -rib 81.

Referring to Fig. 8 this modification of the same type of expansion strip 22 may be used with a pair of separate division plates 82, 83. Division plates 82,83 are preferably' formed with troughs vor depressions 84, 85 adjacent the .main fold 33 and the division plates 82, 83 are supported in spaced relation and parallel to each other by the respective flanges 28, 32 and 27, 31. "The enlarged space 86 adjacent'the main fold 33 positive- ',ly prevents the` division plates 82, 83 from engaging and pinchingthe main fold 33. The division plates 82, 83 are provided with apertures 87 for4 receiving dowel pins 88 which may be provided with metalcaps 89v located in one of the concrete sections 20,21 so' as to .make provision for the telescopic engagement of the dowel pins 88 in one of` creases or cracks.

im v at the top and bottom ofthe concrete. The

-Referring to Fig. 9, thisis another modification in which expansion strips 22 are` used parting .plates 90, 9 1 are provided with offsets at 92, 93 forming enlarged spaces at 94 adjacent the main folds 33. The extent of expansion permitted is equal to the space between the main portions of the division plates 90, 91 which may'ca'use the fold 33 to bulge fication. in whichthemain fold 33 of the exv pansion -strip 22 takes theform of a substantially cylindrical bead.l The division lplates 95, 96` are provided with curved ooves 97 forming anenlarged space 98 adjacent the ymain fold 33. The division plates 95, 96 are formed, with longitudinally ex tending grooves 99 vfor receiving a dowely platey 100. The dowel plate 100 is of less width than the space between the ends 101, 102 of the grooves 99 so as to leave space for the initial expansion of the concrete sections 20, 21 and the dowel plate 100 isadapted to maintain the sections20, 21 in substantial alignment. I

Referring to Fig. 12, this is an expansion joint having a similar expansion strip 22 but the parting plate 119 comprises a pair of parallel flanges 120, 121 bent back against each other and having theoutwardly bent portions 122, 123 to bring the upper flanges 124, 125 into position to be engagedy between flanges 27, 31 and flanges 28, 32. The offset portions 122, 123 form an enlarged space 126 around the main fold 33. The' main body vof the parting strip 119 need not be as wide Fi 13 is another modified form of expanoffset portions 105 bringing the flanges' 106,

107 into closer proximity to the flanges 108, 109. The flanges l106, 107 may resiliently engage a cellular or corrugated cardboard spacing memberv 110 which is adapted to prevent the space 111 between the sections 20, 2 1 from being filled with concrete but which can be crushed by theconcrete as it expands. Fig. 14 is another modified assembly in which the guide members 103, 104 have been omitted and the cellnlar filler 112 is engaged directly by the flanges 27 and 28.

' In the modificationof Fig. 15, the expansion strip 22 is provided with backwardly bent flange 113 and a downwardly' extending guide flange 114. The flanges 24 and 113 are joinedby an enlarged bead 115-which provides an anchoring formation. Another mode of construction is shown at the right side where the angle iron guide member 116 is spot welded to the flange 25 and provided with a downwardly extending guide flange 117 for supporting theA cellular filler 118. l

It will thus be observed that I have invented a plurality of improved forms of expansion strips, parting strips and expansion joint assemblies, in which provision has been made for initial expansion, initial contraction or both. The present expanson strips are peculiarl adapted to eliminate the tendency of the strips of the prior art to causel sharp folds or creases between the flanges of the expansion strips after the adjacent spaces have been filled with dirt, sand or other sharp, solid and incompressible material.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I` do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim is new desire to secure by Letters Pati ent of the United States is:

1. In an expansion joint, the combination of a pair of sections of concrete with an expansion strip having anchoring portions ernbedded in each of said concrete sections, a pair of substantially parallel flanges joined together to form a mam expansible fold, and a pair of substantially cylindrical beads joining said parallel flanges with said anchoring portions.

2. In an expansion joint, the combination of a pair of sections of concrete with an expansion strip having anchoring portions embedded in each of said concrete sections, a pair of substantialy parallel flanges joined together to form a main expansible fold, and a pair of substantially cylindrical beads joining said parallel flanges with said anchoring portions, said beads'being provided with relatively incompressible filler to prevent forminga sharp crease at said beads.

3. In an expansion joint, the combination l of an expansion striphaving a main fold with a pair of substantially parallel flanges, an

auxiliary 'flange engaging each of said parallel flanges, anchoring flanges carried by said auxiliary flanges, a parting strip clamped between one of said parallel flanges and said auxiliary flanges, and substantially cylindrical formations joining each of said auxiliary flanges to one of said parallel flanges.

4. An expansion jo1nt comprising a pair of adjacent sections of concrete, an expansion strip having an anchoring flange extending into each section of concrete', anV upwardly extending flange carried by each of said anchoring flanges, a substantially vcylindrical bead carried by each of said upwardly extending flanges, a pair of downwardly extending flanges joined together to form a main expansible portiomof said expansion strip, and a division plate having a bead at one edge, said division plate havng its bead located in one of the first-mentioned cylindrical beads, and being clamped between one of said downwardly extending flanges.

5. An expansion joint comprising a pair of adjacent sections of concrete, an expansion.

strip having an anchoring 'ange extending into each section of concrete, an upwardly extending flange carried by each of said anchoring flanges, a substantially cylindrical bead carried by each of said upwardly extending flanges, and a pair of downwardly extending flanges joined together to form a main expansible portion of said expansion strip, said cylindrical beads being embedded in said concrete sections.

6. An expansion joint comprising` a lpair of i main expansible portion of said expansion strip, and a pair of separate parting plates, each parting plate being resiliently clamped between an upwardly a-nd a downwardly vextending flange'of said expansion strip.

7. An expansion joint comprising a pair of adjacent sections of concrete, an expan- .sion strip having an anchoring flange err--` tending into each section of concrete,.an upwardly extending flange carried by each of said anchoring flanges, a substantially cylindrical bead carriedby each of said upward- .ly extending flanges, a pair of downwardly extending flanges joine together to form a main expansible portion of said expansion strip, and a pair of separate vparting plates, eachparting plate being resiliently clamped between an upwardly and a downwardly ex-l tending flange of said expansion strip, said parting plates being formed with offset portions to provide. an enlarged space around said main expansible portion. l

i 8. An expansion joint comprising a pair of adjacent sections of concrete, an expansion strip having an anchoring flange extending into each section of concrete, an upwardly extending flange carried by-each of said anchoring flanges, a substantially cylindrical bead carried by each of said upwardly extending flanges, apair of downwardly extending flanges joined together to form a main expansible portion Aof said expansion strip, and a cellular spacer located beneath said main expansible portion for spacing said concrete sections from each other, said cellular spacer being vadapted to be crushed by the expansion ofthe concrete sections.

9. An expansion joint comprising a pair off adjacent sections of concrete, an expansion strip having an anchoring flange extending into each section of concrete, an upwardly extending flange carried by each of said anchoring flanges, a substantially cylindrical bead carried by each of said upwardly expansion strip and adapted to engage saidv cellular spacer.

' CLIFFORD OLDER. 

